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Kudzu; Pueraria lobata

Proposed Uses: Alcoholism; Common Cold; Menopausal Symptoms

Kudzu is cooked as food in China, and also is used as an herb in traditional Chinese medicine. However, in the United States, kudzu has become an invasive pest. It was deliberately planted earlier this century for use as animal fodder and to control soil erosion. It turned out to be incredibly prolific and soon spread throughout the South like an alien invader.

Besides cooking with it, feeding it to animals, and weaving baskets out of its rubbery vines, kudzu may also be useful in treating alcoholism. In Chinese folk medicine, a tea brewed from kudzu root is believed to be useful in sobering up people who are intoxicated by alcohol.

In academic Chinese herbology  a classic herbal formula containing kudzu is used for the treatment of colds accompanied by pain in the neck. However, there is no scientific evidence that it is effective for this condition.

Kudzu contains isoflavones similar to those found in soy. These substances are known to have an estrogen-like effect. On this basis, kudzu has been proposed as a treatment for menopausal symptoms. However, one published trial failed to find benefit.

Dosage
The standard dosage of kudzu ranges from 9 to 15 g daily, in tea or tablets.

Safety Issues
Based on its extensive food use, kudzu is believed to be reasonably safe. However, safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with severe kidney or liver disease has not been established.

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